Alcoholic Beverages 101

Beer

• Fermented from barley, wheat, or rice
• Typically brewed with hops, water, and yeast
• Styles:
  • Lager: cold-fermented, crisp, and refreshing
  • Ale: warm-fermented, fruity, and full-bodied
  • Porter: dark, roasted, and malty
  • Stout: dark, roasted, and dry
• Strength: usually 4-6% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Wine

• Fermented from grapes
• Types:
  • Red: fermented with grape skins, rich and tannic
  • White: fermented without grape skins, crisp and fruity
  • Rosé: fermented with grape skins for a short period, pink and fruity
  • Sparkling: carbonated, celebratory, and festive
• Regions:
  • Old World: Europe, traditional, and terroir-driven
  • New World: non-European, modern, and fruit-forward
• Strength: usually 12-15% ABV

Spirits

• Distilled from fermented grains, fruits, or vegetables
• Types:
  • Whiskey: aged in oak, smoky, and complex
  • Vodka: neutral, crisp, and clean
  • Rum: sugarcane-based, sweet, and tropical
  • Tequila: agave-based, strong, and savory
  • Gin: botanical-infused, dry, and refreshing
• Strength: usually 35-40% ABV or higher

Cocktails

• Mixed drinks combining spirits, juices, and flavorings
• Classics:
  • Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and sugar
  • Martini: gin, vermouth, and olives
  • Margarita: tequila, lime, and triple sec
  • Mojito: rum, mint, and lime
• Glassware:
  • Highball: tall and slender for fizzing drinks
  • Old Fashioned: short and sturdy for whiskey-based drinks
  • Martini: conical and elegant for gin-based drinks
• Garnishes:
  • Fruits: citrus, berries, and cherries
  • Herbs: mint, basil, and rosemary
  • Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Beer

• Fermented from barley, wheat, or rice with hops, water, and yeast
• Styles:
  • Lager: cold-fermented, crisp, and refreshing
  • Ale: warm-fermented, fruity, and full-bodied
  • Porter: dark, roasted, and malty
  • Stout: dark, roasted, and dry
• Strength: 4-6% ABV (alcohol by volume)

Wine

• Fermented from grapes
• Types:
  • Red: fermented with grape skins, rich and tannic
  • White: fermented without grape skins, crisp and fruity
  • Rosé: fermented with grape skins for a short period, pink and fruity
  • Sparkling: carbonated, celebratory, and festive
• Regions:
  • Old World: Europe, traditional, and terroir-driven
  • New World: non-European, modern, and fruit-forward
• Strength: 12-15% ABV

Spirits

• Distilled from fermented grains, fruits, or vegetables
• Types:
  • Whiskey: aged in oak, smoky, and complex
  • Vodka: neutral, crisp, and clean
  • Rum: sugarcane-based, sweet, and tropical
  • Tequila: agave-based, strong, and savory
  • Gin: botanical-infused, dry, and refreshing
• Strength: 35-40% ABV or higher

Cocktails

• Mixed drinks combining spirits, juices, and flavorings
• Classics:
  • Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and sugar
  • Martini: gin, vermouth, and olives
  • Margarita: tequila, lime, and triple sec
  • Mojito: rum, mint, and lime
• Glassware:
  • Highball: tall and slender for fizzing drinks
  • Old Fashioned: short and sturdy for whiskey-based drinks
  • Martini: conical and elegant for gin-based drinks
• Garnishes:
  • Fruits: citrus, berries, and cherries
  • Herbs: mint, basil, and rosemary
  • Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Learn about the basics of beer and wine, including their ingredients, brewing styles, and characteristics. Discover the differences between lager, ale, porter, and stout, and explore the types of wine.